Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers In accordance with established rules and procedures.

Org. Setting and Reporting

The post is located in the Office of the Administration of Justice. The incumbent advises the Secretary-General and Deputy Secretary-General.

Responsibilities

The Executive Director of the Office of Administration of Justice is responsible for the overall administrative coordination of the formal internal justice system, contributing to its functioning in a fair, transparent and efficient manner. The Executive Director develops and manages the work programme for the Office of Administration of Justice, which includes the Principal Registrar, the Registries of the UN Dispute Tribunal and the UN Appeals Tribunal and the Office of Staff Legal Assistance. He/she provides direction and guidance to these offices to ensure the overall implementation of the work programme. He/she also ensures that the Office of Administration of Justice provides support to the Internal Justice Council. The Executive Director is responsible for coordinating the monitoring and oversight of the formal system. He/she advises the Secretary-General and Deputy Secretary-General on any systemic issues relating to the administration of justice, including recommending changes to rules, regulations and administrative instructions that would improve the functioning of the system and better meet its objectives. The Executive Director liaises, as appropriate, with other bodies and offices, such as the Office of Internal Oversight Services, the Office of the Ombudsman and the Ethics Office. He/she prepares reports of the Secretary-General to the General Assembly on administration of justice and represents the UN in meetings on issues of administration of justice with intergovernmental bodies and other international organizations and administrative tribunals. He/she is responsible for communicating with staff and management on matters relating to the system of administration of justice.

Competencies

Professionalism: The Executive Director will have expert knowledge of administrative law and judicial procedures, preferably gained at the international level. He/she will be able to identify key strategic issues and apply sound judgement to solve a wide range of problems. The Executive Director must have strong managerial/leadership skills, including demonstrated flexibility in leadership, evidenced by skillful oversight and analysis of complex legal, human resources, financial or administrative management policy and programme issues. The Executive Director will hold the highest ethical standards and have a reputation for dealing honestly and openly with issues and staff, acting at all times with integrity, which is recognised and respected by top management, peers, stakeholders and staff. The Executive Director will provide leadership and will take responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; he/she will demonstrate knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.

Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments. Delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards. Operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules. Supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments. Takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.

Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients ” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view. Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect. Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions. Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems. Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects. Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Empowering Others: Delegates responsibility, clarifies expectations, and gives staff autonomy in important areas of their work. Encourages others to set challenging goals. Holds others accountable for achieving results related to their area of responsibility.Genuinely values all staff members' input and expertise. Shows appreciation and rewards achievement and effort. Involves others when making decisions that affect them.

Managing Performance: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority. Makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member. Accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills. Monitors progress against milestones and deadlines. Regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff. Encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative. Actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff. Appraises performance fairly.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent degree) in law. A first level university degree with a relevant combination of academic qualifications and experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

Over fifteen years of progressively responsible experience in law, human resources management or administration is required. It is desirable that a substantial part of that experience should have been gained at the international level. Experience in judicial structures and procedures, as well as in directing and managing several offices simultaneously in a multicultural environment, is required.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in oral and written English is required. Working knowledge of French is an advantage

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity, including but not limited to, respect for international human rights and humanitarian law. Candidates may be subject to screening against these standards, including but not limited to, whether they have committed or are alleged to have committed criminal offences or violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the At-a-Glance on "The Application Process" and the Instructional Manual for the Applicants, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The screening and evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications, including but not limited to, their education, work experience, and language skills, according to the instructions provided on inspira. Applicants will be disqualified from consideration if they do not demonstrate in their application that they meet the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations. Applicants are solely responsible for providing complete and accurate information at the time of application: no amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to a reference-checking process to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at midnight (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.